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{{Quote|Luckily—listen to me "luckily"—the needles only detonate when they’re embedded in living tissue. Now that’s lucky because it’s not gonna blow a hole in the wall you’re hiding behind or tear the tires off of the vehicle you’re trying to escape in.|Anonymous UNSC [[E2-BAG/1/7]] serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | {{Quote|Luckily—listen to me "luckily"—the needles only detonate when they’re embedded in living tissue. Now that’s lucky because it’s not gonna blow a hole in the wall you’re hiding behind or tear the tires off of the vehicle you’re trying to escape in.|Anonymous UNSC [[E2-BAG/1/7]] serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | ||
'''Needlers''', sometimes known as | '''Needlers''', sometimes known as '''Needler pistols''',{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=22}} are a class of single-handed, fully-automatic infantry specialized [[weapons]] developed by the [[Covenant]] that launch [[Subanese crystal]]line shards capable of homing in on targets.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} The Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]] formally designated the needler as '''needle launcher''' or '''shard launcher''',{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} while the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] has typically [[Type classification system|type-classified]] encountered needlers variants under the designations of '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' ('''T-33 GML''') or '''Type-56 Guided Munitions Launcher''' ('''T-56 GML''').{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}} Nicknames for the needler include '''Pinkies''' and '''Shrimp Shooter'''.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=323}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=337}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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{{Main|Subanese crystal}} | {{Main|Subanese crystal}} | ||
{{Quote|I caught three in the leg as I was diving behind a broken wall—they lodged right in there where the greave meets the boot. When they went off, it damn near broke my ankle and flung like little splinters of glass or crystal or whatever all up my left side—the corpsman was pulling [the shards] outta me for the better part of two hours.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | {{Quote|I caught three in the leg as I was diving behind a broken wall—they lodged right in there where the greave meets the boot. When they went off, it damn near broke my ankle and flung like little splinters of glass or crystal or whatever all up my left side—the corpsman was pulling [the shards] outta me for the better part of two hours.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | ||
The needler fires shards of [[Subanese crystal]]—colloquially known as blamite—a pink crystalline substance mined from the interiors of [[Suban]], one of [[Sangheilios]]' two [[moon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} The exposed crystals are held within the upper cowling of the weapon,{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} allowing the user to use the exposed shards as an improvised melee weapon.{{Ref/Game|HCE|Needler melee animation}}{{Ref/Game|HINF|Needler melee animation}} | The needler fires shards of [[Subanese crystal]]—colloquially known as blamite—a pink crystalline substance mined from the interiors of [[Suban]], one of [[Sangheilios]]' two [[moon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} The exposed crystals are held within the upper cowling of the weapon,{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} allowing the user to use the sharpened ends of the exposed shards as an improvised melee weapon.{{Ref/Game|HCE|Needler melee animation}}{{Ref/Game|HINF|Needler melee animation}} | ||
Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} Injuries inflicted from the exploding shards are gruesome, as microscopic pieces of crystals can become embedded in tissue.{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}} If multiple shards make contact with a living target in quick succession (i.e., previous shards have yet to detonate), then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties "supercombine" and the shards detonate simultaneously through a process known as “proximal resonance instability”,{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} causing an immediate and violent explosion that is almost always lethal.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} While the shards are devastating to living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against [[energy shielding]],{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needler|D=21|M=04|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler.html}} and ricochet off most surfaces, hence little risk of causing hull perforations.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} The properties of the shards can be modified through unspecified means; for example, certain variants of the needler fire calibrated crystalline shards that can embed in armor.{{Ref/Game|Id=talon|H5G|[[Talon of the Lost]] [[List of REQ cards#Weapons|REQ card]]|Quote=Sangheili miners and engineers continue to discover amazing new properties of the Subanese crystals used in Needler ammunition. Advanced Needler that fires carefully calibrated shards that can embed themselves in armor.}} | Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} Injuries inflicted from the exploding shards are gruesome, as microscopic pieces of crystals can become embedded in tissue.{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}} If multiple shards make contact with a living target in quick succession (i.e., previous shards have yet to detonate), then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties "supercombine" and the shards detonate simultaneously through a process known as “proximal resonance instability”,{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} causing an immediate and violent explosion that is almost always lethal.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} While the shards are devastating to living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against [[energy shielding]],{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needler|D=21|M=04|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler.html}} and ricochet off most surfaces, hence little risk of causing hull perforations.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} The properties of the shards can be modified through unspecified means; for example, certain variants of the needler fire calibrated crystalline shards that can embed in armor.{{Ref/Game|Id=talon|H5G|[[Talon of the Lost]] [[List of REQ cards#Weapons|REQ card]]|Quote=Sangheili miners and engineers continue to discover amazing new properties of the Subanese crystals used in Needler ammunition. Advanced Needler that fires carefully calibrated shards that can embed themselves in armor.}} | ||
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{{Main|Needle-based weaponry}} | {{Main|Needle-based weaponry}} | ||
{{Quote|I don't know how it works, but it seems the needles can only follow you if they can "see" you.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | {{Quote|I don't know how it works, but it seems the needles can only follow you if they can "see" you.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | ||
As with all Covenant [[needle-based weaponry]], the needler's inner mechanism | As with all Covenant [[needle-based weaponry]], the needler's inner mechanism breaks the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards at targeted enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} When the trigger is pulled, the needle is fed from the top and broken into shards. The needler notably features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards by charging their chemical mixture;{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} the shards then become capable of tracking specific heat signatures of sighted targets.{{Ref/Site|Id=h4guide|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/halo4guide|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 Interactive Guide - Covenant Weapons|D=27|M=03|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Halo 4 Interactive Guide#Covenant Weapons}} The shards are propelled through the barrel, out of the muzzle between the channel braces, and towards enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The user reloads by shaking the weapon once, prompting a new magazine of crystals to protrude from the chassis again. The magazine capacity of the needler varies within and across different patterns.{{Ref/Reuse|hrgameplay}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4gameplay}} | ||
While it is believed that the Covenant had likely reverse-engineered the [[Forerunner]] [[shard cannon]] to create their own needle-based weaponry,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} the needler is considered unique among Covenant weapons in that it does not require Forerunner technology to function.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The needler was one of the most unusual weapons in the Covenant arsenal and the least understood; by 2552, how the weapon functions still remains a mystery to human military experts and scientists, despite the weapon being encountered early on during the war.{{Ref/Site|Id=hrbnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25437|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo: Reach Ordnance Page|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}} According Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]], the needler lacks any kind of electronic, physical, or radiative connections between its trigger and firing mechanism.{{Ref/Game|Id=journal|HR|Dr. Halsey's personal journal}} The physics behind the weapon were apparently not well known as joint human and Sangheili teams were known to be studying the weapon some time after the war.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Forums - Catalog Interaction (post 2969311)|D=14|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #5}} | While it is believed that the Covenant had likely reverse-engineered the [[Forerunner]] [[shard cannon]] to create their own needle-based weaponry,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} the needler is considered unique among Covenant weapons in that it does not require Forerunner technology to function.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The needler was one of the most unusual weapons in the Covenant arsenal and the least understood; by 2552, how the weapon functions still remains a mystery to human military experts and scientists, despite the weapon being encountered early on during the war.{{Ref/Site|Id=hrbnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25437|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo: Reach Ordnance Page|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}} According Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]], the needler lacks any kind of electronic, physical, or radiative connections between its trigger and firing mechanism.{{Ref/Game|Id=journal|HR|Dr. Halsey's personal journal}} The physics behind the weapon were apparently not well known as joint human and Sangheili teams were known to be studying the weapon some time after the war.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Forums - Catalog Interaction (post 2969311)|D=14|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #5}} | ||
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===Development history=== | ===Development history=== | ||
{{Quote|It's about as close to a [[Wikipedia:fire-and-forget|fire-and-forget]] small arm that we're likely to ever see—and it ain't ours. This is why we're losing.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | {{Quote|It's about as close to a [[Wikipedia:fire-and-forget|fire-and-forget]] small arm that we're likely to ever see—and it ain't ours. This is why we're losing.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}} | ||
Prior to the Covenant's formation, the [[Sangheili]] mined Subanese crystals from Suban, and grew to believe that even rudimentary scientific investigation into the crystals was tantamount to heresy. When they first began to incorporate the crystals into weaponry, the Sangheili knew how to manipulate and weaponize the crystal, but they lacked deeper understanding of its properties.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} The pre-Covenant weapons were unique, | Prior to the Covenant's formation, the [[Sangheili]] mined Subanese crystals from Suban, and grew to believe that even rudimentary scientific investigation into the crystals was tantamount to heresy. When they first began to incorporate the crystals into weaponry, the Sangheili knew how to manipulate and weaponize the crystal, but they lacked deeper understanding of its properties.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} The pre-Covenant weapons were unique, though their designs demonstrated the Sangheili’s poor understanding of the crystals, and further study on these designs were mostly abandoned until the dissolution of the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | ||
Prior to [[2552]], the needler, along with most needle-based weaponry, was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]] on ''[[High Charity]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} After the [[fall of High Charity|fall of ''High Charity'']] during the [[Great Schism]], the manufacturing of the needler fell to [[Lodam Armory]],{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} and any understanding of the crystal from the [[San'Shyuum]] was lost with ''High Charity''{{'}}s record complexes.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | Prior to [[2552]], the needler, along with most needle-based weaponry, was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]] on ''[[High Charity]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} After the [[fall of High Charity|fall of ''High Charity'']] during the [[Great Schism]], the manufacturing of the needler fell to [[Lodam Armory]],{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} and any understanding of the crystal from the [[San'Shyuum]] was lost with ''High Charity''{{'}}s record complexes.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | ||
After the Human-Covenant War, the needler remained in widespread use among the Covenant splinter factions;{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} despite the [[Blooding Years|conflicts | After the Human-Covenant War, the needler remained in widespread use among the Covenant splinter factions;{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} despite the [[Blooding Years|conflicts raging on Sanghelios]], most mining sites on Suban continued to produce ammunition for the needler.{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} There is renewed interest among Sangheili miners, engineers, and artisan-armorers in studying the properties of the crystals,{{Ref/Reuse|talon}} with pre-Covenant design patterns leading to new breakthroughs;{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} for example, the ''Hailstorm'' variant of the needler, which fires shards with stronger homing capabilities, was derived from a pre-Covenant weapon used during the volatile early-interstellar period of the Sangheili history.{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}}{{Ref/Game|Id=hailstorm|H5G|[[Hailstorm]] [[List of REQ cards#Weapons|REQ card]]|Quote=The Hailstorm owes much to a pre-Covenant weapon used during the volatile early-interstellar period of Sangheili history. Improved Needler which fires fast-moving crystal shards that exhibit strong homing behavior.}} In contrast, [[Banished]] warsmiths were unknowledgeable of the weapon's mechanisms, though the needler's gruesome and simple design meant there was no immediate desire to alter or improve its design.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} | ||
===Usage=== | ===Usage=== | ||
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Larger variants of the needler, better known as the [[needle cannon]], are adopted as anti-air weaponry mounted on both vehicles and weapon emplacements, like the {{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}} and the {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}}.{{Ref/Game|HW|gameplay}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=200}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=301}} | Larger variants of the needler, better known as the [[needle cannon]], are adopted as anti-air weaponry mounted on both vehicles and weapon emplacements, like the {{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}} and the {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}}.{{Ref/Game|HW|gameplay}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=200}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=301}} | ||
Various needler patterns | Various needler patterns were employed throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], and the UNSC has [[Type classification system|catalogued]] multiple patterns of needlers under the "[[Type-33 needler|Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]" designation as early as [[2533]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} The needler was a subject of study among human military experts and scientists,{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} notably being one of the many Covenant weapons featured in [[Robert McLees (ship designer)|Doctor Robert McLees]]' publication ''[[Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present]]''.{{Ref/Site|Id=h3bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3needler|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007|D=16|M=01|Y=2021}} During the [[Battle of Actium]] in [[2545]], the [[34th Armored Division]] recovered a ''Nahle'hax''-pattern needler from the Covenant that was later displayed at [[Outpost Discovery]], an exploratory initiative launched by the UNSC after the war.{{Ref/Generic|Id=hod|[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]|Detail=[[Hall of History]] - [[:File:HOD Hall of History Needler plaque.jpg|Needler plaque]]}} | ||
Following the [[Great Schism]] and the dissolution of the Covenant, the needler was inherited by its various splinter factions, and even found appeal among human [[piracy|pirates]] who considered the weapon flashy and intimidating.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} Previously uncatalogued needlers have been observed, with a needler variant employed by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] being recorded by the UNSC in [[2556]] under the [[Type-56D needler|Type-56D]] designation.{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}} The Banished also quickly adopted the needler; troops like [[Unggoy Conscript]]s and [[Unggoy Ultra|Ultras]], [[Kig-Yar Freebooter]]s, and [[Skirmisher]]s notably fielded the {{Pattern|Posu'gelka|needler}} during the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}}{{Ref/Game|Id=hinfgameplay|HINF|gameplay}} | Following the [[Great Schism]] and the dissolution of the Covenant, the needler was inherited by its various splinter factions, and even found appeal among human [[piracy|pirates]] who considered the weapon flashy and intimidating.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} Previously uncatalogued needlers have been observed, with a needler variant employed by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] being recorded by the UNSC in [[2556]] under the [[Type-56D needler|Type-56D]] designation.{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}} The Banished also quickly adopted the needler; troops like [[Unggoy Conscript]]s and [[Unggoy Ultra|Ultras]], [[Kig-Yar Freebooter]]s, and [[Skirmisher]]s notably fielded the {{Pattern|Posu'gelka|needler}} during the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}}{{Ref/Game|Id=hinfgameplay|HINF|gameplay}} | ||
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{{Main|Type-56D needler}} | {{Main|Type-56D needler}} | ||
The "Type-56D Guided Munitions Launcher", or shortened as "Type-56D GML", is ONI's type-classification for multiple needlers that were catalogued in [[2556]].{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}} | The "Type-56D Guided Munitions Launcher", or shortened as "Type-56D GML", is ONI's type-classification for multiple needlers that were catalogued in [[2556]].{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}} | ||
*'''[[Type-56D needler]]''': This variant of the needler | *'''[[Type-56D needler]]''': This variant of the needler features a holographic [[Smart scope]] projector on its chassis.{{Ref/Game|Id=H5G|H5G|gameplay}} | ||
** '''[[Hailstorm]]''': This variant was derived from a pre-Covenant needle-based weapon employed by the Sangheili during their early-interstellar time period. The shards fired from this needler exhibit a stronger ability to home in on their targets.{{Ref/Reuse|hailstorm}} | ** '''[[Hailstorm]]''': This variant was derived from a pre-Covenant needle-based weapon employed by the Sangheili during their early-interstellar time period. The shards fired from this needler exhibit a stronger ability to home in on their targets.{{Ref/Reuse|hailstorm}} | ||
** '''[[Talon of the Lost]]''': This variant of the needler fires carefully-calibrated shards capable of embedding to armor in addition to living tissue.{{Ref/Reuse|talon}} | ** '''[[Talon of the Lost]]''': This variant of the needler fires carefully-calibrated shards capable of embedding to armor in addition to living tissue.{{Ref/Reuse|talon}} | ||